A/N: Chapter 28 of Ginga Densetsu Alayus. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except my own. Ginga Densetsu Weed belongs to the rightful owner.
Special thanks to the reviewers and to the readers who Fav/ Alert this story. I really appreciate it.
Koldra the Trickster- I'm really sorry (and this goes to all the readers too) for not getting the age constant throughout the story, even the anime wasn't too clear about Weed's age and only stated that he wasn't one year old yet in the last episode. So answering your question, basing it off of Weed...actually I don't know his age...but I want to say she's between six and seven months now. As to how big (height wise) she is, I want to say she's up to Jerome's shoulders so she's still smaller than him. I hope this helps.
Chapter 28: A fool's disposition
Ohu Army...
After the run-in with Kamakiri's army and getting Moss and his group to join them, Weed led the dogs towards one of Akame's secret places, a place the ninja dog called the Northern fortress. All they had to do was follow the river upstream, it was a pretty straight forward path.
"Help us!" A voice called out to them and they stopped running to see a dog on the other side of the river, calling out for them. "Please help us, everyone from the Ohu Army! Our friend is drowning!"
"What?" Weed's ears perked up at the news. "Where?"
"Hold on Weed." Kyoshiro warned before turning his attention to the mutt. "You! You're a part of Hougen's army aren't you? What're you planning?"
"I'm ashamed, but I'm begging you!" The dog replied. "We can't help him alone. Please, lend us a hand!" He bowed his head towards them.
"Don't be stupid!" Kyoshiro snapped. "Your group has more than enough followers!"
"We broke away from Hougen's army a while ago." The dog answered. "We knew that we couldn't follow him any longer! So, we're begging you!" He shook his head before running off. "There's no time to talk!"
"Mel!" Weed ordered, getting the Golden Retriever's attention and the two of them bounded across the snow white path.
"Hey Weed," Kyoshiro said when he noticed the dogs running off. "it could be a trap! Tch!" He snorted as the rest of the group followed their leader.
"Hang in there. Just hold on a bit longer!" The Ohu Army heard voices as they rushed to the scene.
"Yeah, hold on!" The dog that called out to them appeared. "Hang in there!"
"That's...Toube!" Weed noticed the fighter dog holding onto a branch. Suddenly his strength gave out and he let go.
"Toube-san!" The two dogs cried out as they watched him get swept down the river. Wasting no time Weed, Mel and GB leaped into the river after the ex-general and pulled him to safety.
"The Ohu army have gathered more than 300 soldiers?!" Hougen asked as he stared incredulously at Kamakiri, not believing at what he was hearing. The Irish Wolfhound and his group managed to run straight back to the Great Dane without any hitch and now they stood before him and gave him a report.
"Well, there could be a lot more than that. While I was watching more and more soldiers kept on coming." Kamakiri explained.
"Shut your mouth!" Enraged, Hougen latched on to his scruff and pinned him down. "Even if you were outnumbered, you should have fought...to the death!" He applied a little more pressure to the bite. "You clumsy dog!"
"Please stop!" Kamakiri begged. "If we were wiped out, it would have made a huge blow to the number of our own troops! That's what I was thinking..." At that , Hougen released his hold.
"Alright...bring me the meat!" The dane ordered and another subordinate hastily brought him a deer from an earlier catch. "Listen up, Kamakiri." Hougen growled as he started to eat, chewing on the flesh slowly. "Next time you fuck up, this will be you instead. Remember that!" He licked his chops and turned to the others that stood there staring at him with nervousness. "That goes for all of you. Got it?"
"Y-yes." The dogs replied out of fear of being killed.
Northern Fortress...
"John-san, it's been far too long." Moss spoke when he spotted the old dog among the Ohu Army. "I'm surprise to see you moving about despite your old age."
"Heh!" John replied. "Even if I'm just bare skin and bones, I'll still be kicking. I won't die so easily!"
"But I heard that your lovely wife has sadly expired...how are you holding up?"
"...Fine...but since you decided to bring Rue into the conversation I have half the mind to tell you that I'm just peachy." The old Shepherd snapped at him. "However, I can still her through my daughter, she's been blessed with her mother's beauty. I just know Rue is watching over our daughter from above."
"Everyone come here!" Mel's voice spoke as the young retriever popped up at the entrance, his tail wagging back and forth. "Toube-san is awake now!"
"Where am I?" Toube spoke, looking around with confusion. Hearing soft snoring he saw another dog curled up by his feet. "This guy's from the Ohu Army..."
"Toube-san!" A voice called to him, getting his attention. "You're conscious!" Looking towards the entrance he saw Weed and few of his friends standing before him. "I'm glad. You're alright now, aren't you?"
"Did you misunderstand something when you helped me out?" The fighter dog spoke. "Did you think I would change sides that easily?"
"What did you say?!" Kyoshiro replied angrily. "You only survived because we saved you from drowning!"
"Want me to send you back to hell?" Hiro added. "I'll be glad to!" At that threat Toube actually took a stance, growling at the Great Pyrenees.
"Wait!" Another voice spoke, getting his attention. "It's been a while Toube." Weed's little group made way for the speaker as he addressed Toube.
"Musashi?! So, you joined the Ohu Army?" Toube asked as he looked at his former opponent.
"Musashi, do you know him?" Akame asked the fighter dog.
"Yeah. He's the only one who ever defeated me at the dog-fighting arena." Musashi replied as he recalled his memories from back then. "It was back when I was in training to become the fighting dog champion. That one that appeared at the sand-line was Toube. We were equal in strength...but, at the final stage of the match...it was the first time I was in high spirits. He was truly the only one that could devote himself that much... At that time, I respected you more than anything. But now," He glared at his past opponent, "that dog is a follower of that hooligan, Hougen. Why?"
"I still don't believe I won that match." Toube spoke, lowering his gaze before looking up at Musashi. "Winning just because you laid down doesn't mean shit!"
"What?"
"After that day, you were never seen at the dog-fighting arena ever again. So after that time I heard stories about your bravery... that when you were young, you owed your life to the Leader of Ohu. So I thought, if I follow Hougen, then maybe someday...I would also have the opportunity to run into the battlefield. I wanted to fight with someone strong. It was one year ago...but then," He shook his head, "I opposed Hougen as a clumsy mistake. Now look at me."
"You opposed Hougen?!" Weed asked in shock. "Why?"
"He punished me for being unable to protect Genba."
"Genba!" Shouji stepped forward at the Dane's name. "What happened to him?"
"He was finished off by Hougen. All of his followers were also killed." Toube told him.
"He killed him? His own brother?!" Shouji tried to wrap his brain around that piece of news as the fighter dog walked past them.
"Where are you headed to, Toube?" Musashi asked.
"I can't just withdraw like this." was the reply. "I'm going to fight Hougen one more time."
"Toube-san, wait!" Weed spoke up, stopping the dog in his tracks.
"I already told you, I'm not switching sides."
"I understand that. We only took you in because you were injured." Weed informed him. "I don't want you to feel like you owe us anything."
"Although some of us wanted you to stay dead, our leader was still compassionate enough to save you." The group turned to see John padding up with Jerome by his side. "The least you can do is follow his order and stay for awhile. If you were to attack that pig-faced bastard in your condition...you will no doubt die."
"Why does that matter to you?!" Toube retorted. "Don't tell me how to live my damn life."
"We won't." Weed said, giving John a look. "You can do as you please. But I can't let you go right now. You need to rest here until you get a little more strength back."
"Hmph." Toube huffed, "Mind your own business." He took one step forward before falling to his side. Immediately rushing to his side, Weed ordered some of the men to help bring the fighter dog inside so that he could rest. After two days, the other dogs that accompanied Toube decided to take their leave so that they wouldn't feel like extra baggage to the army.
"Everyone from Ohu...thank you for taking care of us. We'll be going back home now." The first dog that rushed to get help spoke, his head lowered with respect.
"You guys be careful on your way home." Weed told them.
"Um...there's something about Hougen that I'd like you guys to know." The dog continued. "This is a rumor I heard in Shinshu, but I heard that he ate his friends, and he's even eaten humans."
"What?!" Kyoshiro said, "That's disgusting!"
"Is that story true?" Akame asked him.
"Yeah. The brothers, Hougen and Genba, were abandoned by their owner. They were locked in a cabin with a group of their friends. To survive, they ate all of their friends, and even killed their owner who eventually returned to them..."
"Hougen did that...?" Rocket couldn't believe his ears, this was the first time he's heard about Hougen's past.
"What a character..." Hiro added.
"It kind of explains his ruthless behavior all this time." Missile nodded his head. "Also it probably started his evil streak."
"There's nobody he can talk to about it anymore..." Akame said, noting the information that Toube had given them. "...he's killed a human, and even his own brother that shares his blood."
"Well then, we should be going soon." The second dog piped up.
"Yeah, be careful." Weed told them once more.
"Mmmmhmm, we owe you one." The dog replied and the two of them ran off.
"Are you sure about this!?" Kyoshiro asked, making sure that Weed knew what he was doing. "If they go back to Hougen, this location would be revealed."
"It's alright." Weed said with a smile.
"Tch." Kyoshiro huffed as he looked to the side. "As usual."
"What's wrong, Keri?" The two dogs ran till they put a considerable amount of distance between them and the Ohu army. The second dog, the one named Keri, had stopped in his tracks which prompted the first one to ask him a question.
"Shingo, didn't we hear that the Ohu Army had over 300 soldiers?" Keri asked him.
"Yeah, what about it?"
"But what is it actually? They only had 100 at most."
"You're not thinking...?"
"Of course!" Keri's eyes lit up with excitement as his tail wagged back and forth. "It's a chance for a promotion! We can't let this opportunity to report this go to waste!"
"Wait Keri!" Shingo said with fright when he noticed something was off, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up immediately. "Hey!"
"Uh?" Keri turned around just to see Alayus prowling towards them and suddenly she sprang upon him, jaws open wide.
"Keri!" Shingo cried out as he watched the Shepherd's teeth bite into the other dog's throat.
"Don't bother returning to Hougen, he doesn't give a rat's ass about you." She growled, holding the scared dog down. "Go home and start a family if you can. Do something stupid like that little plan of yours...and I'll kill you."
"I...I won't! I'll leave quietly!" Keri whimpered when he felt the pressure intensify.
"Good." With that, she let him go and watched as they disappeared across the snow fields as fast as their legs would carry them. Thank goodness I was able to stop them from going back. I can only hope that they'll get home and stay there. Nodding her head with satisfaction, she silently slipped away, leaving no evidence that she was there.
Back at the northern fortress...
"The injured gets meat and the elderly gets fish." Weed commanded as he watched the hunting parties returned with their successful kills. He sent out patrols early to get breakfast for the army.
"Here." Cross said as she placed a piece of fish in front of Ben who looked up in response to her voice. "Ben, for today."
"Sorry to always make you do this, Cross." He said apologetically.
"I don't want to hear you say that." She playfully replied, gazing at him lovingly as he bit into the soft flesh of fish.
Those guys...they're from Hougen's Army. Toube looked at the dogs he recognized from the other platoons as they dug into their fair share of food.
"Hey, here's your meal." The fighter dog turned his attention to GB who placed a bird in front of him. "You won't get better if you don't eat!"
"I don't take donations from enemies." Toube replied, turning his back on the Settler.
"Jeez...stop being so concerned about whether or not you're friend or a foe." GB told him. "We're both dogs...just let it go!"
"I don't like bird meat."
"Is that so?" GB looked at him in surprise. "Then you wait, I'll find a snake for you. They're the best for nutrients and best for a strong body!" Excited, he trotted outside to search for a snake but when the sun started to set, he couldn't find one. Looking up, he spotted a field mouse and licked his lips. "It's not a snake but it'll suffice. Here I go!" Lowering himself to the ground, he inched closer and closer to his prey. Once he felt the distance was right he jumped and ended up hitting his head against another dog, scaring the mouse away. "Ouch! What are you doing!?"
"Look who's talking!" The other dog yelled back at him, a dog with light brown fur and dark brown ears. "My meal just ran away! What are you gonna do about it?!"
"What''s the problem?" Another dog walked out to see what the commotion was all about, a limp bird in his mouth. He had dark blue fur and a much lighter underbelly.
Futago pass!? GB gulped when he looked up to see the two peaks towering over him. I got too close! And that means...these are Hougen's followers?!
"I haven't seen you around here before." The dog GB knocked over rose up, shaking the snow from his pelt.
"You're not from here are you?" Soon other dogs popped up, surrounding him. "You're from the number 2 force, aren't you?"
"This is the territory of the number 1 force." Another mutt spoke, the one with the bird in his mouth. "Don't intrude at your own convenience!"
These guys think I'm one of them? Alright...! I'll play along! "Oh, is that so? My name is JinBei!" GB spoke in a sweet voice, sucking up to them. "I was clumsy, got lost and ended up here...!"
"Jeez, what a dumb guy! Everyone, let's call it a day!" The light brown dog ordered and walked off.
"Oh, hey JinBei!" The darker colored dog spoke. "You got lost right? I'll lead the way.
"No! Don't worry about me!" GB replied and tried to back up, only to be blocked by another. There was no way he could escape so his only option was to follow them back. On the way he finally managed to catch a snake for Toube. Following the platoon inside of Gajou, he placed his catch besides the other delicious food that was meant for Hougen. Quickly excusing himself before the guards got suspicious of him, he tried hard to find the exit but ended up getting lost...again. Lucky for him he was directed on the right path and he hurried back to where Weed was.
"Damn that GB. What the hell is that fool thinking patrolling this late?" Kagetora said with annoyance.
"Well the temperature isn't too bad so maybe he went to take a brisk walk." Ken replied. "He'll be back soon."
"HEYYY!" The two of them turned their heads to see a shape running towards them. "GUUYYSSS!"
"See? What did I tell you?" Ken smirked.
"GB! Where did you go?" Weed exclaimed as he welcomed his friend back.
"S-Sorry I didn't come back much sooner." GB apologized. "But, I have some intel about the layout of Gajou as well as the current formation of Hougen's army."
"Really? That's great!" Weed said.
"Now we can formulate a more effective plan." Rocket said with eagerness.
"As expected of Weed's godfather." Sasuke said as he pushed GB with his shoulder. "So that's why you came all the way to Gajou!"
"WHAT?!" The rest of the army gasped at GB; they didn't know that he was Weed's godfather to begin with.
"You're Weed's godfather?" Ken asked him. "No way...I thought you were just plain stupid."
"Sasuke! You dumbass!" GB snapped at the smaller dog with fury.
"Wow, GB! I really respect you!" Mel said with his mouth still open.
"You..." Kagetora glared at him with an unimpressed expression. "...why didn't you give yourself a stylish name that stood out? This is Gin's son we're talking about!"
"Shut up!" GB spluttered with embarrassment. "Everyone, shut up!" He turned his head to the side with a huff. "It's because of this I thought it'd be cooler if I just kept it to myself!"
"Now I'm seeing the light for when we go to fight Hougen." Weed said. "Thank you GB for what you have done."
"A friend, huh?" They turned around to see Toube standing firm on all four legs, a different aura was radiating off of him. "It seems somehow, this eye was clouded."
"Toube-san..." Weed said as the fighter dog stood before him. Unknowingly, Cross and Ben both talked with Toube since he still thought Weed was still a young brat and told him about their experiences being around Weed. Ben even said that, although he lost his eyesight in battle, he knew what kind of dog Weed was.
"I've fought you once before. It's too late now to ask you to let me be your friend. But our goal is the same. To take down Hougen! Until then, what do you think about using my power?"
"Toube-san...of course." Weed nodded his head gratefully.
"Seems like you've finally become more honest with yourself." GB smiled before being interrupted by the sound of his stomach growling. "Aaah...damn I haven't eaten yet. Where's my share?"
"Stupid. There's nothing left." Jerome stated, causing the rest of the army to laugh as GB hung his head with disappointment.